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Thursday, April 26, 2018

Book Review: A Thousand Points of Truth by V.P. Hughes

Title: A Thousand Points of Truth

Author: V.P. Hughes

Publisher: XLibrisUS

Genre: History

Format: Ebook

My interest in Colonel John Singleton Mosby began in 1950. However it wasn't until 2002 that it led to extensive research on the subject centered upon newspaper reports on the man begun during the Civil War and continued throughout and even after his life. And while I rejected Virgil Carrington Jones's observation on Mosby contained in the preface of this work I did not contemplate writing this book until an even more disparaging observation came to my attention during my research.The comment was contained in an article in the Ponchatoula Times of May 26 1963 as part of a six article series written by Bernard Vincent McMahon entitled The Gray Ghost of the Confederacy. Mr. McMahon in turn based his comment upon General Omar Bradley's judgment of what might have been the postwar life of General George Patton. Now substitute Mosby for General Patton in the book A General's Life by Omar Bradley I believe it was better for General Patton, Mosby and his professional reputation that he died when he did. He would have gone into retirement hungering for the old limelight beyond doubt indiscreetly sounding off on any subject anytime any place. In time he would have become a boring parody of himself a decrepit bitter pitiful figure unwittingly debasing the legend emphasis mine McMahon however only proffered in his writings the widely accepted view of John Mosby held by many if not most. However like General Ulysses S. Grant I have come to know Colonel Mosby rather more intimately through the testimony of countless witnesses over a span of 150 years and I believe that it is time for those who deeply respect John Mosby the soldier to now also respect John Mosby the man. A century ago the book of John Singleton Mosby's life closed. It is my hope that this book will validate the claim he made during that life that he would be vindicated by time.

BOOK REVIEW

I admit that years ago a book like this would not have grabbed my attention. History was not something I enjoyed reading about, or even watching on tv. But, as I have gotten older my interest has been piqued.

Before this book I knew nothing of Colonel John Mosby but would like to read even more about him now that I have finished. A very interesting book and man, this book shines a light on many different aspects of his life. If you like historical books or anything to do with the military, this is a book for you.

For many years, V. P. Hughes has been drawn to certain historical figures whom she researched at great length and in considerable depth regarding not only the person of interest but the period in which that individual lived and his influence upon it. Over the years, she has studied such heroes as Sir William Marshal (1147-1219), Sir Harry (Hotspur) Percy (1364-1403), Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805), John Churchill, First Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), Sir William Wallace (1270-1305), Francis Marion (1732-1795) and the legendary figures William Tell and Robin Hood. The last three were of especial interest because they, with their few followers, engaged the most powerful armies of the time-and prevailed. Of course, John Singleton Mosby was another such champion-a man who defeated his adversaries with cunning and courage rather than brute military force.
Yet Mosby became an even greater curiosity when during her research the author discovered that he had died twenty-five years to the day and hour of her own birth-May 30th, 9 a.m, 1916 and 1941 respectively. Although acknowledged as a mere coincidence, however curious, Mosby’s unique style of warfare and his astonishing success under the circumstances extant, made him of especial interest. Early on, her knowledge of the man centered around the Civil War, but then, copious written works as well as the opinions of past and present day Mosby sages brought to light his post-war life in a manner that seemingly disparaged and negated all the glories that had gone before. Finding this both troubling and unacceptable, when the opportunity arose to refute these calumnies and slanders, the author felt obligated to undertake what is, in essence, a posthumous defense of the man. It is hoped that this unique work will achieve the goal of undoing a great injustice and restoring to a noble American hero the respect and admiration he so richly deserves.